Diaphragm device



M. A. FESLER DIAPHRAGM DEVICE July 10, 1923.

Filed July 2, 1920 Patented July 10, 1923.

UNITE n vus.

MILTON FIESLEB, O1 OAETJLAND, CJULIFDRNIA, ASSIG-ITOIR TO PETROLEUIMHEAT AND POVVEIt CUIWPAN'EZ', GUH-IEORATIUN 01E DELAWARE.

DIAPHRAGM DEVIGJFJ.

application filed .nu 1920.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, ll l rnron A. Fnsnnn, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Oakland, in the county of Alameda and 6 State ofCalifornia, have invented an linprovement in Diaphragm Devices, of whichthe following description, in onnection with the accompanying; drawings,is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing likeparts.

The invention to be hereinafter described relates to diaphragm devicesfor use in apparatus for regulating combustion and other purposes.

16 A diaphragm device has been provided comprising a pair 01 spaced thinflexible plates having confined n'iargins, a central block and separateconcentric rings between said plates to hold the same in spaced relation. The block may be connected to a valve or other device to beoperated. Faincc the plates are thin they will readily flex in responseto pressure, but they are desir ably strengthened by the block and ringsto give the diaphragm the requisite strength to withstand heavypressures.

In practice it is found that pressure on the diaphragm plates tends tocause the same to bulge or distort in the circuin terential zonesopposite said rings, so that when pressure is applied to the oppositeside thereof, will be objectionably re sisted by the arched or bulgedform thus given to the plates, thereby preventing the plates fromflexing readily and uniformly in response to such pressure. Also, suchbulging or distortion prevel'its the central block or member frompromptly and prop erly moving; in response to variations in pressure onthe diaphragm plates, an d there fore, prevents prompt and proper movement of the valve or other device connected to or actuated by the block.

The aim and purpose ot the present in.- vention, therefore, is toprovide means to prevent the local bulging or distortion referred to.In. carrying this feature of the invention into practical eli ect, inthepres ent instance of the invention, the diaphragm device is providedwith rings or members so interconnected that they will have limitedrelative movement, the construction being]; such that the objectionablebulging or dis-- tortion of the thin diaphragm plates is pre vented,

Eerial No. 393,64.

The character of the invention will be best understood by reference tothe following description of one good form thereof shown in theaccompanying drawing, wherein Fig. 1 is a vertical section through apressure control valve provided with dia phragm devices embodying; theinvention;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on line 9r-2 of Fig. 1; and

F ig. 3 is an edge view of one of the intcrn'iediate rings.

Referring to the drawing, the diaphragm device shown therein as one goodform of the invention, comprises a pair of thin, flexible plates 1 ofcopper or other suitable material, the margins of which may be suitablyconfined. To accomplish this, in the present instance of the invention,said margins are confined by a spacing ring 3 interposed between saidmargins, and flanges 5 and 7 of casings 9 and 10 at opposite sides ofthe spacing ring Said margins, spacing ring and flanges may bedetachably secured together by suitable bolts 11.

Mounted between the flexible plates 1 is a spacingblock or member 12desirably lo-- cated centrally of said plates, and adapted to beconnected to a valve or instrumentality to be operated by the diaphragmdevice, as more fully hereinali'ter described. To contribute to readyflexibility of the plates 1, the circumferential zones or portions 13thereof may be of a corrugated or undulatory character.

intermediate the block 12 and the spacinp' ring 3 are a plurality ofrings or elements 15, in the present instnace, four beinn shown, but thenrunber thereof may be varied as desired. These rings may have athickness substantially equal. to the block 12 and the spacing ring 3 soas desirably to occupy the space between the corrugated portions 13 ofthe plates 1.

' To prevent the objectionable sagging or distortion oi the zones 13 ofthe plates intermediate the spacingring 3 and the block 12, the ringsmay have a jointed relation with respect to each other, the innermostringv may have a jointed relation with respect to the block 12, and theoutermost ring may have a jointed relation with respect to the spacingring 8. in the present instance of the invention, the inner ring mayhave a circumferential rib or projec tion 17 extending inwardlytherefrom into agroove 19 in the block 12. The intermediate rings mayhave ribs or projections 21 projecting inwardly therefrom into outergrooves 23 in the adjacent rings. The outer ring may have a rib orprojection 25 extending into an outer groove 27 in one of theintermediate rings. The outer ring and the spacing ring may have opposedgrooves receiving an interrupted wire 29. A small amount of clearance isprovided between the C00 aerating ribs and grooves to permit limitedmovement there-between, and the rings 15 may be split preferablyobliquely with respect to the plane thereof to facilitate assembly ofthe rings in concentric relation.

The construction is such that the rings may have a limited movement withrespect to each other and with respect to the block and spacing ring,but the relative movement of any two adjacent rings is not great enoughto permit local bulging or sagging of the zones 13 relatively to theconfined margins of the diaphragms and the central portions thereofopposite the block 12. Con sequently, when pressure is applied to eitherside of the diaphragm device, the plates 1 will flexin response toslight or substantial variations in pressure promptly to impart movementto theblock 12, and the latter will serve promptly to impart movement toa valve or other device to be operated thereby; but by limiting theamount of relative movement that may take place between any two adjacentrings, the portions of the flexible plates 1 resting upon said adjacentrings will be prevented from being unduly flexed or distorted.

, The diaphragm device described is simple in construction, easilymanufactured, and is sufliciently strong to withstand and eiiicientlyoperate inresponse to high pressures.

The. diaphragm device described may be employed for various purposes,but for exemplification, in the present instance, it is shown asoperating a valve, such, for example, as a valve employed for regulatingthe supply of oil or atomizing steam to a fuel oil burner.

In the present instance, a valve 31 is shown having conical portions 33and 35 co-operating respectively with seats 37 and 39 in a bushing 41threaded in a sleeve 43 mounted in the casing 10 referred to. A port 45in said bushing communicates with a neck 47 projecting from the casing10 and adapted to be connected with a pipe for conducting oilo-r steamthereto. A neck 49 projects from the casing 10 at a point convenientlydiametrically opposed to the neck 47, and. is adaptedto be connected toa pipe for conducting the oil or steam to a burner.

The valve 31 may have a stem 51 having an end projecting through theblock 12 of the diaphragm device and secured thereto by a nut 53,suitable washers 55 being provided at opposite sides of the diaphragmdevice.

The construction is such that on flexion of the diaphragm device, thevalve will be moved relatively to the valve seats 37 and 39 to regulatethe amount of oil or steam fed throughthc neck 47, the port 45, past thevalve seats into the casing 10 and thence out through the neck 49.

in some instances it is desirable to subject the diaphragm device to acountcrpressure. To accomplish this, in the present instance, a coilspring 57 may be provided in a head 59 having a flange 61 secured bybolts (33 to a flange 65 projecting outward froin the casing 10.

The 'alve 31 may have a stem 67 adapted to engage a cap (39 confinedbetween the end of said stem and one end of the coil spring 57. Anadjusting screw 71 may be threaded into the head 59 and have a cap 73confined between said screw and the opposite end of the coil spring 57.The construction is such that the screw may be adjusted to vary thetension of the spring to furnish the counterpressure effect desired.

To separate the head 59 containing the spring from the casing 10 andprevent en trance of oil or steam into said head while admittingmovement of the valve 31 in re: sponse to pressure on the upperdiaphragm device, a similar diaphragm device 75 may be connected to thestem 67' and have its margins confined between the flanges 6] and 65referred to.

The casing 9 may have a port 77 therein tapped to receive a pipe fortransmitting steam pressure from a steam generator or other source tothe chamber above the diaphragm device in the casing 9.

If the steampressure rises. the upper diaphragm device will be flexeddownward against the resistance of the coil spring 57. thereby movingthe valve 31 toward its seats. and on the other hand. if the steampressure lowers. the coil spring 57 will be effective to move the valveupward away from its seats. Thus. the valve may be automaticallyoperated to regulate the amount of oil. steam or other fluid passingthrough the casing 11. 7

It will be understood that the invention not limited to the specificembodiment shown, and that various deviations may be made therefromwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimedis:

1. A diaphragm device. comprising. in combination. a pair of spacedflexible plates, a block interposed between-said plates. and a pluralityof rings encircling said block and interposed between said plates, saidrings having circumferential ribs and raenoae means to confine themargins of said plates,-

a plurality of concentric rings between said plates, and interenga 'ingans between the adjacent rin constructed and arranged a to limit therelative movement of the adjaccnt aY-riallv in either direction, andthereby prevent local bulging of the pen tions of the plates oppositesaid rings on ilexion of said plates.

8, ll. diaphragm device, comprising, in combination, a pair oi spacedflexible plates,

means to confine the margins oi said plates,

a spacing ring interposed between said margins, a con al member betweensaid plates, and a plurality of rings intermediat said spacing ring andmember and interposed between said plates, said spacing ring, member andrings having jointed connections for limiting relative movements thereofaxially in either direction.

a. A diaphragm device, comprising in combination, a pair of spacedflexible plates, means to confine the margins of said plates, aplurality of concentric rings between said plates, and means ilorconnecting each ring to the concentric ring surrounding it and adaptedto limit the relative axial movement of the rim on lesion of the platesin either direction.

diaphragm device, comprising, in nation, a pair of spaced flexibleplates having confined ins, a central member interposed between saidplates, and a phi-- ralitv of concentric rincs encircling said member,and having interengaging ribs and ,rrrooves tlor lin'iiting relativemovement oi said rings the innermost ring havingjointed connection withthe central member.

('3. ll. diaphragm device, comprising, in combination, a pair oiflexible plates, a con tral member interposed between said plates aspacing ring interposed between the marsaid plates, a plurality ofintermes or. diate rings interposed bet-ween said central 1 ember andspacing ring, said spaclng ring aflCl the outermost intermediate ringhaving opposed grooves therein, and a member mounted in said grooves tolimit the move,

ment of said outermost intermediate ring with respect to said spacingring.

J ll, diaphragm device, comprising, in combination, a pair of l'lBXlblQplates having confined imirgins, a spacing ring interposed between saidmargins, a central member interposed between said plates, a plurality ofintermediate rings between said central nicmliier and spacing ring, saidcentral member and intermediate rings having circumferential ribs andgrooves for inter-engagement to allow limited relative movement thereof,the outermost intermediate ring and the spacing ring having opposedgrooves therein, and an element mounted in said opposed grooves to allowrelative movement oi? the outermost intermediate ring with re spect tothe spacing ring.

8. i diaphragm device, comprising, in con'zbination, pair of flexibleplates, a cen- "ral member mounted between said plates, a ilurality oirings between said plates enier having provision for limiting relativemovement thereof, and means connected to said central member adapted toimpart movement to a device to be controlled thereby.

9. dia ihragm device, comprising in combination, a pair of spacedflexible platesv herring confined margins, a central member interposedbetween said plates, a plurality of concentric rings encircling saidmember and having interengaging ribs and grooves for liniit'ng therelative movement of adjacent rine's, means for limiting the movement ofthe innermost ring relative to the l/HLTUN A. FESLER ircling saidmember, said rings and mem-

